FRSC to fight fake driver’s licence gangs

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has declared war on syndicates which procure fake driver’s licences.

Unit Commander in Surulere, Lagos, Mr Olatunji Oguntoye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos: “In this locality (Surulere), Lagos, we are battling with fake driver’s licences in some quarters and this is attributed to activities of touts.

“But we are doing all we can to see that we overcome it, hence, in our public enlightenment activities, we encourage people not to patronise fake officials.

“That is what led us to transform the old licence to this one. You cannot be issued any licence now without physical capture.

“If we capture your photograph, we also input your data in our system. But if you say you are getting a driver’s licence today through a third party, can you say it would be properly done? How will the system recognise somebody by proxy?’’

He said the command often visited worship centres, motor parks, and enlist the support of rulers to enlighten the public on the consequences of a fake driver’s licence.

“The corps will prosecute whoever is found to be producing such fake licences.

“So that has been part of the protection we are putting to ensure the authenticity of the driver’s licence,” Oguntoye added.

On the delay in the collection of driver’s licences produced by the corps, the commander said the FRSC adopted notification methods to ensure that backlog of such licences were cleared without delay.

“We have gone the extra mile to inform people through short service messages and phone calls that their licences had been produced.

“As a result, we have been able to clear a lot of the backlog, but we discovered that many people are still not ready to come for them.’’

Oguntoye, however, said drivers, whose licences were still being processed, should produce a temporary licence, which is also issued by the corps, upon request.

On use of seat belts, he said: “The seat belt does not hurt you. Safety is the surest insurance, so you don’t need to negotiate or compromise.’’

He said the unit would continue to synergise with the media, to ensure that motorists and the public adhered to road safety rules.